More children living in temporary accommodation

The number of households with children living in temporary accommodation has surged in the past year, worrying government statistics show.

There were 83,150 households with children in temporary accommodation in the first quarter, rising by 11.6% year-on-year.

Overall, a record 169,050 dependent children are trapped living in temporary accommodation.

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “More and more children are spending their formative years trapped living in temporary accommodation, often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and at huge cost to local authorities. This is a national scandal that demands government action.

“Renting is broken. With rent prices soaring far beyond what we earn, people are forced into temporary accommodation because they simply can’t find somewhere affordable to live.

“The government’s house building programme is welcome, but will take years to have a noticeable impact. People need change now.

“Government must slam the brakes on soaring rents, while also unfreezing Local Housing Allowance so those on low incomes are also able to stay in their homes.”